David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Honorary Chair 

The 11th Annual Pot of Gold Luncheon presented by AT&T honored the Dallas, Grand Prairie & Richardson Independent School Districts for their ongoing partnership and commitment to help children in our community stay healthy and drug-free and shed a lot of light on the wonderful events and programs offered by Rainbow Days to homeless children, their families and children living in shelters all over the city of Dallas.  

 

Also attending the luncheon was David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas, serving as the luncheon Honorary Chair, who said, "I have the great privilege as Lt. Governor of meeting people every day who are using their unique talents and skills to make a positive difference in their communities.  Rainbow Days Incorporated is a great example of this.  Since 1982, Rainbow Days has helped more than 80,000 children in the Dallas area make healthy choices, avoid alcohol and drugs, and overcome difficult life challenges.  I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for making a commitment to our children and to the future of our great state."
Rainbow Days' mission is to provide children living in high-risk situations with the skills and support they need to overcome adversity and stay drug-free.  The Pot of Gold Luncheon is the major annual fundraising event that Rainbow Days depends on to raise much needed funds for its children's programs.  The luncheon also serves as a celebration of Rainbow Days' programs to highlight the agency's success and to increase awareness in the community.  The attendees have the opportunity to hear recipients of Rainbow Days' services, share in their own words, how Rainbow Days has had a positive impact on their lives.  
 

Co-chairs Michelle Esposito and Sabrina Smith Schiller agreed: "We are privileged to co-chair this exciting annual event.  Funds raised from the Pot of Gold Luncheon have benefited thousands of low income, at-risk children and families. None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors. We'd especially like to thank AT&T's presenting sponsorship for the third year in a row and their continued support has meant the world to Rainbow Days and the families we help."

The Pot of Gold Luncheon Honorees:
Within the first year of Rainbow Days, Inc. (RDI) beginning to offer services to children, Cathey Brown, RDI Founder and Executive Director, realized that while conducting the Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG) that the program was reaching some children, but the only way to reach significantly more children would be to take the support groups to where the children were not dependent upon their parents to transport them - their schools.
 
"Because of the vision and courage of the three school districts honored today to risk something new, the door was opened to thousands of schools across the Untied States who now implement our program," said Ms. Brown, as she presented the awards to these honorees: Dallas ISD: Michael Hinojosa, Ed.D., Superintendent;
Grand Prairie ISD: Vern Alexander, Assistant Superintendent of  Student Affiars;